Reflection for Monday, March 18; Second Week of Lent; Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

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Reflection:

What is this mercy that Jesus speaks about in our gospel today? This is an encompassing mercy, mercy that has no limitation and mercy that we truly give even to our enemies. Often times our mercy is selective we give mercy to those whom we thought deserves our mercy. But to those who we think doesn’t deserve our mercy we don’t.

The mercy of Jesus is an encompassing mercy. It’s for all of us regardless of how grave our sins are. It doesn’t discriminate and it’s always there available for us. We find this mercy of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. Through the priest who acts in the person of Jesus we are able to receive this healing and merciful sacrament through the priest absolution of our sins.   

Are we taking advantage of this mercy of Jesus? It may be yes or no, the season of lent is the most opportune time for us to humbly submit to this healing and merciful sacrament. The moment we submit to confession we would feel that a big burden has been lifted off our backs.

One of the famous lines of the prayer of saint Francis states: It is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. Perhaps one of his inspirations when he wrote this prayer is our gospel for today.

It is indeed true that it is through giving and through our generosity that we will receive more than what we’ve given.   It is in forgiving that we will be forgiven. Who does the giving back of the gifts that we’ve given? Who forgives us when we unconditionally forgive those who’ve hurt us? He is none other than Jesus himself.

Many of us are not aware of this anymore because we’ve already distanced ourselves from Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday March 17, Second Sunday of Lent: Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

A young wife decided to finally leave behind her irresponsible and philandering husband. Before leaving him, she wrote a letter which contained all of her angst. At the end of the letter she closed it with this statement: If you want me back you have to change otherwise you will not see me again.

When the wife decided to finally leave behind His philandering and irresponsible husband. That decision was her moment of transfiguration. And her decision also influenced her husband to change and leave behind his philandering and irresponsible ways.  

In the transfiguration of Jesus at the mountain of tabor the three disciples: Peter, James and John saw firsthand how Jesus was transfigured. From a mortal like them Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29).

What was going on before the three apostles went to the mountain to witness Jesus transfiguration? The three were with the Lord doing their mission. They witnessed many miracles being performed by Jesus. Yet, Jesus also told them that He would soon suffer and be put to death by His persecutors (Luke 9:22).

Upon hearing from Jesus that He was going to suffer perhaps the three had a low morale. They can’t believe that this is going to happen to their Lord and master. And with this premise Jesus brought them to the mountain of tabor. For the three of them to know and see His real identity. And for the three of them to know what awaits them if they would be faithful to their mission until the end.

With their witness of Jesus transfiguration, the three apostles were also transfigured albeit in a different manner. Their witness of Jesus transfiguration energized their sagging spirits. It boosted their motivation to continue to move on with their sacred mission of evangelization.

At what stage are you in your life right now? Are you facing your own share of challenges? Don’t give up, remember that this is just temporary. In the end there will be a price that awaits you and that is to be with Jesus in heaven someday.

 Let the transfiguration of Jesus energize you, strengthen you and let it give you hope. So that you too could be motivated by the powerful transfiguration of Jesus as you move forward with your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Marso 17, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 9:28b-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:28b-36

28  Isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Juan at Jaime at umahon sa bundok para manalangin. 29 At ha­bang siya’y nananalangin, nagbago ang anyo ng kanyang mukha at puting-puting nag­ningning ang kanyang damit. 30 May dalawang lalaki ring nakikipag-usap sa kanya, sina Moises at Elias.

31 Napakita sila sa kaluwalhatian at pi­nag-uusapan nila ang paglisan ni Jesus na malapit nang maganap sa Je­ru­salem. 32 Antok na antok naman si Pedro at ang kanyang mga kasama pero pagkagising nila, nakita nila ang kanyang kaluwalhatian at ang dalawang lalaking nakata­yong kasama niya.

33 Nang papalayo na ang mga iyon kay Jesus, sinabi ni Pedro sa kanya: “Guro, mabuti at narito tayo; gagawa kami ng tatlong kubol, isa sa iyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias.” Hindi niya alam ang kanyang sinasabi. 34 Nagsasa­lita pa siya nang may ulap na lumilim sa kanila; at natakot sila pagpasok nila sa ulap. 35 At narinig mula sa ulap ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.”

36 Pagkasalita ng tinig, nag-iisang na­kita si Jesus. Nang mga araw na iyon, sinarili nila ito at walang sinabi kani­nu­man tungkol sa nakita nila.

Reflection for Saturday, March 16; First Week of Lent; Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

What is the supreme act of love? It’s the willingness to die for the one that you love. What is the next supreme act of love? It’s to love even those who are not lovable to your eyes. It’s to continuously keep the flame of love alive for a person who does nothing but hurt you.

But are you capable of following this radical love commandment of Jesus? It’s very hard to love the person who hates you. Take for example a spouse who does nothing but hurt you. How can you love him/her? If you only gaze your sight on this world it’s really difficult to love in such a situation.

But we are not only made for this world, God created us not only for this world alone. He created you to become a permanent dweller of heaven eventually. Therefore, we have to love even those who do not love us. We have to pray as well for those who do nothing but hurt us.

What will happen to your spouse if you continue to love him/her even if he/she doesn’t express his/her love for you? What would happen if you never give up and continue to pray for his/her conversion? He/she will eventually see the light of Jesus and be enlightened by it. For this is the miracle that Jesus gives to those who continue to have faith in Him.

This is what awaits those who never give up on love and the power of prayer. And this is the miracle that Jesus gives for those who never waiver on praying to Him.

Do you easily give up on love?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Friday, March 15; First Week of Lent; Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

What is the antidote to sin or what could defeat sin or hatred? Its humility, forgiveness and love. For example, if you sin against your spouse the cure for this sin is to humble yourself before your spouse. You do this by  saying, I’m sorry for hurting you or  I’m sorry for betraying your trust.

If your spouse loves you dearly you can expect forgiveness, the mitigating factor here is  your humility to admit your offense or sin. But not everyone is willing to say, I’m sorry for to admit ones mistake or to say I’m sorry is one  of the hardest words to say. But if there’s humility in us we would not think twice to apologize for this will once again heal the relationship.

But the paradox is, we are quick to sin yet we are not quick to apologize  or some are not even willing to apologize. And this lack of humility on our part creates bigger trouble/s in our married relationship or any other kind of relationship for that matter.

In our gospel Jesus is teaching us about humility and to have the courage to admit our own mistakes or shortcomings (Matthew 5:23-25). Why? Because if we are willing to humble ourselves and if we have the courage to admit our own sinfulness. We therefore save ourselves from further trouble. But if we continue to be dominating and arrogant then trouble/s would always be with us.

Would you be willing to humbly apologize to somebody whom you have offended? To reach out or to apologize is hard to do but it’s also a redemptive experience for it will set you free from the bondage of guilt.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday, March 14; First Week of Lent; Matthew 7:7-12

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel helpless and burdened by so many problems? All of us go through these life episodes, some of us are able to survive and some are not.

In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us a recipe so that we would be able to survive whatever trials and problems that we will be going through in our lives. Jesus tells us:   “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. These are comforting and healing words for all of us if only we believe and take these words of Jesus into our hearts.

Let us therefore have a permanent daily time with Jesus. Since it’s only through this daily time for Him that we could automatically go to Him to ask for His healing and comfort. The moment we start to incorporate Jesus in our daily lives we then could be assured that we will now be able to survive our problems and worries.

Let us endeavor to get closer to Jesus in everyday of our lives. Let us ask Him for help and for guidance. Let us detach ourselves from our many worldly attachments for the reason that this is what hinders us to get closer to Jesus. And last but certainly not the least, let us all exert an effort to leave behind our relationship with sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Wednesday, March 13; First Week of Lent; Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

Do you ask for signs before you decide on something? For example, if you’re a female, would you ask for a sign if the man courting you is the right one for you? And based on that sign you now would decide to say yes or no to that man.

Jesus is much bigger than the signs that we ask for from God. If we have Him in our hearts we need not ask anymore for signs. But do we allow Jesus to have a special place in our hearts? Jesus has a simple request for all of us for Him to dwell in our hearts. The simple request is our repentance from all of our sins. This is His simple request for all of us, so that He could dwell in our hearts.

During the time of Jonah, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah’s call of repentance. Otherwise there would be destruction upon them. So they listened, they’ve put on sackcloth to show God that they are sorry for the many sins that they’ve committed and they are ready to walk away from it.

Why do we continue to embrace sin when it will not do us any good? Why do we continue to embrace sin when we know for a fact that sin is evil and it eventually will destroy us? It’s very hard to comprehend why many of us continue to sin. We continue to sin because the devil gives us generous incentives to commit it. But as proven time and again, we will be destroyed eventually because we decided to embrace the devil.

If we will love this world more than we love God we certainly will continue to sin. However, God is always there for us no matter how sinful we are, ever ready to embrace us with His infinite love and forgiveness.

Prayer:

I am sinful creature of this world O Lord and I am tired of sinning for it has not brought anything good into my life. I seek your forgiveness O Lord and I seek your love, this I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday, March 12; First Week of Lent; Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

How important is prayer to your life? If you have five things to do everyday, is prayer included in that five?

When we pray with all our heart, we allow the good Lord to nourish our parched spirits. Through our prayers we also invite the good Lord to come into our lives. And it’s also through our humble prayers that we slowly but surely develop our intimacy with Jesus.

In our gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray: It’s simple, short and direct and it does not beat around the bush. We must be frank, persevering and honest to Jesus for He knows what we need beforehand. We must also be sincere and always humble in prayer before our God.

For example, do we close our eyes when we pray the Our Father? Does this prayer make us sometimes cry when we pray it? Do we still kneel when we pray this prayer? These are all acts of faith that would help us have a more personal connection with Jesus.  

Jesus is also reminding us to re-examine our life of prayer. For we may be just praying for the sake of praying thus it’s without spirit and fire.

How do you pray the Lord’s prayer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday, March 11; First Week of Lent; Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

(Jesus said to his disciples) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me. Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs? He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me. And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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Reflection:

Do you want to attract God’s blessing upon you? You have to do what Jesus commands you in the gospel. Jesus tells you to give food to the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, give clothes to the naked, take care of the sick and visit the imprisoned.

Jesus is teaching us to discard the me first mindset for so many of us have this me first mindset. What would you feel if you do away with the me first mindset? You would be free from the bondage of greed and selfishness which by the way is an instrument of the devil. 

Life in this world is temporary we therefore have to make worthy decisions and actions that would impact the lives of our fellowmen. Let us never be concerned of our own life and needs for God will take care of it for us.

The gospel tells us that there shall be judgment and separation amongst those who followed and did not follow the will of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday March 10, First Sunday of Lent: Luke 4:1-13

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me,  and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

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Reflection:

A man gave in to the temptation of an adulterous affair, he was always being advised by his sister to cut-off the immoral relationship. But he did not listen, he reasoned that his wife would never catch him. Indeed, he was not caught but when he died his soul was immediately brought by the devil to hell.

Today is the first Sunday of Lent and we read that Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. The first one is to transform the stone to become bread, second is to worship the devil in exchange for power and glory and the third is to jump from the parapet. Filled with the Holy Spirit Jesus rejected these three temptations after which He walked away from the devil.

Why do we succumb to temptations? Why can’t we refuse or simply walk away from the devil? The answer is very simple.  We take control of our lives instead of God. Instead of following the authority of God, we follow our own sinful rules which is actually fed into our minds by the devil.

  

We will get nothing but hell if we follow the rule of the devil. We will get nothing but misery if we sell our souls to the devil. What happened to Judas when he succumb to the temptation of the devil to betray Jesus (Matthew 27:3-5)? Did Judas profit anything from betraying Jesus? We will also not profit anything good if we succumb to the devil’s many temptations.

Let us make this lent a time to deeply strengthen our relationship with Jesus. So that we would be able to ward off whatever temptations that the devil will dangle before us.

What are the things that you’re doing to deeply strengthen your relationship with Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Marso 10, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 4:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:1-13

1 Umalis mula sa Jordan si Jesus na puspos ng Espiritu Santo at naglibot sa disyerto na akay ng Espiritu 2 sa loob ng apatnapung araw; at sinubok siya roon ng diyablo. Hindi siya kumain ng anuman sa loob ng mga araw na iyon at sa katapusa’y nagutom siya. 3 Sinabi sa kanya ng diyablo: “Kung ikaw ang anak ng Diyos, iutos mo sa batong ito na maging tinapay.” 4 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Hindi sa tinapay lamang nabu-buhay ang tao.”

5 Pagkatapos ay itinaas niya si Jesus at ipinakita sa kanya sa isang kisap-mata ang lahat ng kaharian sa mundo. 6 Sinabi ng diyablo sa kanya: “Sa iyo ko ibibigay ang kapangyarihan sa lahat ng ito at ang kaluwalhatiang kalakip nito dahil sa akin ito ipinagkatiwala at maibibigay ko ito sa maibigan ko. 7 Kaya mapapasaiyo itong lahat kung magpapatirapa ka sa harap ko.” 8 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Ang Panginoon mong Diyos ang iyong sasambahin at siya lamang ang iyong paglilingkuran.”

9 Pagkatapos ay dinala siya ng diyablo sa Jerusalem at itinayo siya sa nakausling pader ng Templo at sinabi sa kanya: “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, tumalon ka mula rito paibaba 10 sapagkat sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Iniutos niya sa kanyang mga anghel na pangalagaan ka at 11 bubuhatin ka nila para hindi matisod ang iyong paa sa bato.” 12 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Nasasaad: Huwag mong hamunin ang Panginoon mong Diyos.” 13 Kaya matapos siyang subukin ng diyablo sa lahat ng paraan, nilisan siya nito hanggang sa takdang panahon.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon   

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Repleksyon:

May isang lalaki na nag patukso sa isang bawal na pag-ibig. Siya ay palaging pinapayuhan ng kanyang kapatid na putulin na nya ang kanyang bawal na relasyon. Pero hindi siya nakinig at ang sabi pa niya ay siya ay hindi naman mahuhuli ng kanyang asawa. Hindi nga siya nahuli ng kanyang asawa. Pero ng siya ay namatay na ang kanyang kaluluwa ay agad na dinala ng demonyo sa impeyerno.

Ngayon po ay unang linggo ng kuwaresma at mababasa natin na si Jesus ay sinubok ang demonyo ng tatlong beses. Ang una ay gawing tinapay ang isang bato. Ang ikalawa ay bibigyan siya ng kapangyarihan  kung mag papatirapa siya sa kanyang harapan. At ang ikatlo ay ang tumalon siya sa nakausling pader ng templo pero ito ay hindi ginawa ni Jesus.

Bakit ba ang tao nag papatukso sa dimonyo? Bakit ba hindi nalang natin ito tanggihan? Simple lang ang sagot diyan at ito ay sa dahilan na mas gusto natin na tayo ang masusunod at hindi ang Diyos. Imbes na sundin ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos ay mas sinusunod natin ang ating gusto  na hindi maganda na palaging iminumungkahi sa atin ng demonyo.

Wala tayong makukuha kundi ang imperyerno kung susunod tayo sa gusto ng demonyo. Wala tayong makukuha kundi ang kapighatian kung ibebenta natin ang ating kaluluwa sa demonyo. Ano po ba ang nangyari kay Judas ng siya ay nagpatukso sa demonyo na ipagkanulo si Jesus (Mateo 27:3-5)? May nakuha bang mabuti si Judas ng ipinagkanulo  niya si Jesus? Wala rin po tayong makukuhang anumang mabuti pag tayo ay nag patukso sa mga pagsubok ni satanas.

Gawin po natin ang kuwaresmang ito para mas mapatatag pa ang ating relasyon kay Jesus. Para maiwasan natin ang anumang pagsubok at tukso na gagawin sa atin ng demonyo.

Ano bang mga bagay ang ginagawa mo para mas mapalakas pa ang iyong relasyon kay Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday, March 9; Saturday after Ash Wednesday; Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Who are the modern day sinners that Jesus wants to call to repentance? It’s no other than us, we are sinners; we sin through our thoughts, actions and words. Like the tax collector Levi, Jesus calls us to follow Him, to leave behind us our sinfulness.

Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him? He wants to build a deeper friendship with us. And this would only happen if we would choose to respond to His call. Rather than respond to the call of the devil who always calls us to sin.

When we respond to the call of Jesus we ensure ourselves of a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean that the moment to we say yes to Jesus we would be free from worries and trials. We would still have our own share of trials and worries. Yet in the midst of our worries and trials we will feel the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives. 

If we decide to follow Jesus there would be people who will despise and perhaps belittle us. But we have nothing to worry with those who will despise us. What is most important is we chose to leave behind our sinfulness in favor of Jesus’ call.

To leave behind our sinfulness is not easy to do because the devil will not easily let us go. Nevertheless, nothing is impossible for Jesus all He asks us is our yes and our firm desire to leave behind our sinfulness.

Lest we forget, a sinful life is a life in union with the devil and a sinful life is a problem filled life. Let us therefore respond to this call of Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday, March 8; Friday after Ash Wednesday; Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15 

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast.”

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Reflection:

What does fasting do to us? It cleanses our bodies, when we fast we dictate on our bodies rather than our bodies dictating on us. For example, when we see  delicious food, our bodies would normally dictate upon us to eat that delicious food. This is always the scenario: Our bodies dictate upon us and we succumb to it.

However, when we fast, it’s the other way around we don’t succumb to this dictate we contradict it, for what reason? For the observance of certain customs and tradition in this case we can cite our fasting during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

In our gospel, Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees why His disciples were not fasting. Jesus answered them this: They are not fasting for the reason that the bridegroom (Referring to Himself) is still with them. Therefore their tricky question was properly answered by Jesus.

Literal fasting when done for a good reason is valid but when it’s done for people to see or to get praise from people. It becomes invalid or useless it’s much better not to fast when we do it for show.   

But there’s a much meaningful and permanent fasting that God wants us to do. We permanently fast from oppressing others, we permanent fast from our arrogance and high sense of ourselves and we permanently fast from our greed and indifference.

Are you capable of doing these forms of fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday, March 7; Thursday after Ash Wednesday; Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

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Reflection:

What would you do after hearing Jesus say this: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

What will register in your mind for sure is Jesus statement about His suffering and death. What will register in your mind is His statement that those who would want to follow Him must learn how to deny himself and carry his cross daily.       

This is for the reason that we are normally unenthusiastic with suffering, death and sacrifice. Who would want to suffer, who would want to die at a young age and who would want sacrifice in his life? We don’t want all of these because this entails hardship and more.

But this is real life with Jesus, if we really want to feel His abiding presence in our lives. Then, we must be prepared to suffer, for what reason would we suffer for? We will suffer in our discipleship with Jesus because Jesus Himself suffered. Even if He has the power He did not exempt Himself from suffering.   

What would you gain after suffering for Jesus sake? You will be with Jesus in heaven someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas